The Effectiveness of a Program to Accelerate Vocabulary Development in Kindergarten

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  In Poster Session: Division H Section 1 Poster

Abstract

This paper examines the effectiveness of Kindergarten PAVEd for Success (K-PAVE), a supplementary curriculum to enhance kindergarteners’ vocabulary development. K-PAVE includes explicit vocabulary instruction, interactive book reading, and frequent classroom conversations. Regular classroom teachers received training and follow-up support. Using a cluster random-assignment design, 65 schools in the Mississippi Delta were randomly assigned to K-PAVE or a status-quo control condition for the 2008-09 school year. The paper presents findings on implementation and impacts of K-PAVE.

There was a statistically significant impact of K-PAVE on students’ expressive vocabulary and academic knowledge. Treatment students were one month ahead on both outcomes compared with control students. There was also a statistically significant impact on teacher use of comprehension supports and new vocabulary words.

Authors

• Anne Wolf, Abt Associates Inc

• Barbara Dillon Goodson, Dillon-Goodson Research Associates Inc.

• Pamela B. Finney, University of North Carolina - Greensboro